Bo Nix Makes History as Payton Weighs Broncos’ Backfield Shake-up
WHO:
denverbroncos.com - Defensive lineman Zach Allen said, “Bo’s Bo,” and said the team was glad Nix was its quarterback.
denverbroncos.com - Broncos quarterback Bo Nix became the fifth player to throw a touchdown pass of at least 50 yards and run for a touchdown of at least 50 yards in the same game.
denverbroncos.com - Ace Parker was the first player to accomplish the feat: in 1938, he threw a 54-yard touchdown pass and ran for a 77-yard touchdown for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
denverbroncos.com - Broncos tackle Garett Bolles said Nix “does whatever he can to win the game” and called it “a breakout game.”
denverbroncos.com - Head Coach Sean Payton said, “He’s our guy,” and praised Nix, the blocking and the team’s downfield plays.
Heavy NFL - Running back Jonah Coleman returned after a four-game absence; the fourth-round selection had nine carries and caught both of his targets.
The Denver Post - The Broncos’ running back trio was J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman. The Post also identified Jaylen Waddle as the team’s major offseason acquisition.
The Denver Post - The Broncos’ defense included Vance Joseph as coordinator, safety Brandon Jones, and players Adam Prentice, Malcolm Roach, Kris Abrams-Draine and Riley Moss. Arizona tight end Trey McBride is from Fort Morgan.
WHAT:
The Denver Post - Denver’s running back trio began controlling the clock after Bo Nix’s touchdown run, according to the Post.
The Denver Post - Marvin Mims’ 68 first-half return yards, including 60 on kickoffs, were his season high at halftime and his most in a game since he had 83 yards against Jacksonville.
denverbroncos.com - Nix said, “You believe me now?” when asked about the health of his ankle.
denverbroncos.com - Nix’s 62-yard run was his longest as a professional; he had recorded an 80-yard rushing touchdown while playing at Oregon.
denverbroncos.com - Denver posted its second-highest yardage output of the season.
The Denver Post - Denver outscored Arizona 18-7 after Nix’s touchdown run.
denverbroncos.com - Denver beat Arizona 30-16. Nix completed 15 of 29 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown, and ran seven times for 73 yards and a touchdown.
denverbroncos.com - Nix’s 62-yard touchdown run broke a 6-6 tie and was the longest run by a quarterback in Broncos history. It was also the longest quarterback run since Justin Fields in 2022.
denverbroncos.com - RJ Harvey scored on a 52-yard screen pass from Nix. It was the first time since 2002, and only the third time since at least 1977, that Denver had a 50-plus-yard rushing score and a 50-plus-yard passing touchdown in one game.
denverbroncos.com - Denver scored in all four quarters for the first time that season and recorded five plays of at least 20 yards, matching its season high. Nix also threw a 47-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr.
denverbroncos.com - Denver converted three of 11 third downs and kicked field goals on two first-half drives. Nix said the team needed to improve its penalties and four-minute offense.
Heavy NFL - Coleman recorded 54 rushing yards on nine attempts and 15 receiving yards on two catches in Denver’s win.
The Denver Post - The Post reported that Waddle was injured after appearing to land awkwardly on his shoulder during a wide-receiver sweep with less than five minutes remaining.
The Denver Post - Denver’s Adam Prentice blocked a punt. Its defense stopped Arizona twice inside the Denver 20-yard line.
The Denver Post - Mims had 68 first-half return yards, including 60 on kickoffs. Denver’s first three drives began at its own 41, its own 29 and Arizona’s 47; the first two resulted in Wil Lutz field goals.
WHERE:
denverbroncos.com - Denver defeated the Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona.
The Denver Post - The game was played at State Farm Stadium.
WHEN:
denverbroncos.com - The Broncos’ 30-16 win took place on Sunday; the article identifies it as the game against Arizona.
The Denver Post - The Denver Post identifies the game as Week 7 and says the Broncos’ next opponent was Kansas City.
WHY:
The Denver Post - The Post said Jonah Coleman helped Denver’s offense stay on the field with a one-score lead in the second half.
denverbroncos.com - Nix said the team had areas to improve, including penalties and its late-game four-minute offense; he called the upcoming week important and urged the team to be sharp and disciplined.
The Denver Post - The Post said Nix’s touchdown run opened up Denver’s offense, while the Broncos’ defense kept Arizona’s score close with red-zone stops.
HOW:
denverbroncos.com - Nix said his 47-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. was a reaction and that making the throw showed him he was seeing the game well.
denverbroncos.com - Nix broke the tie after identifying Arizona’s coverage, stepping up in the pocket and running 62 yards for a touchdown. Next Gen Stats reported that no player came within four yards of him until he reached inside Arizona’s 5-yard line.
The Denver Post - The Post reported a first-half pass-interference penalty against Moss and a later pass breakup by Moss that drew no flag. It also cited Denver’s opponent red-zone touchdown rate of 52.9% and Arizona’s end-zone touchdown conversion rate of 47.8%.
The Denver Broncos beat Arizona 30 to 16 in Glendale, as Bo Nix threw for 222 yards and a touchdown, then broke a tie with a 62-yard touchdown run that was the longest by a quarterback in Broncos history. Nix also threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to RJ Harvey, making him the fifth player to pass for a touchdown of at least 50 yards and run for one of at least 50 yards in the same game; Jonah Coleman added 54 rushing yards in his return, and Denver’s defense made two red-zone stops. Nix called his ankle healthy and said the Broncos still need to clean up penalties and improve their late-game offense, while Coach Sean Payton said, “He’s our guy.”